An anti-theft storage and display assembly

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to an assembly for storing and displaying goods, the assembly including a carrier for carrying a plurality of goods, a cover for covering a portion of the carrier, and one or more weighted units, the carrier and cover defining an opening for permitting access to the goods, the carrier having an angled base so as to facilitate sliding of the goods towards the opening, and wherein the one or more weighted units facilitate the movement of the goods towards the opening along the angled base.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention described herein relates to an assembly for storing and displaying goods. In particular, the invention is directed to an anti-theft storage and display assembly.

BACKGROUND ART

In many retail stores, goods are arranged on shelves and are readily accessible by customers. Certain goods, such as pharmaceutical goods, cosmetics, and other high value retail goods are often prone to theft. Typically, shoplifters will target retail stores that make these goods readily available on conventional shelves. For example, high value goods on a shelf may be swept into a large bag by a shoplifter in a single motion. Such unlawful acts cause retail stores to suffer great losses on a weekly basis.

Some existing anti-theft retail display systems include mechanisms which secure each product item to the display via a cord. Such mechanism are commonly used for high value low volume items such as mobile phones, cameras and other electronic devices. However, such mechanisms are too costly and non-practical for high volume goods such as hand tools, pet care, stationary, cosmetics, dental goods, drugs, and vitamins.

Other storage and display systems, in particular for cosmetics, include a partly enclosed assembly in which the goods are stacked in a column and can be accessed one at a time from a front end of the assembly. Once the forward-most item is removed, a spring pushing against the column of goods pushes the remaining goods forward so that the next item can be accessed. Whilst such a mechanism restricts the number of goods a shoplifter can access at any single time, it can often be difficult for costumers to push against the action of the spring to return an item into the display assembly. In addition, springs are prone to breakage and entanglement with the goods, undesirable causing the assembly to malfunction.

In many stores, high value and/or restricted goods are stored in a lockable unit near the point of sale. During purchase, a personnel needs to manually unlock and retrieve the goods to be sold. The installation of such lockable units can be costly and labour intensive. It can also be inconvenient and time consuming to carry out each transaction by manually unlocking and locking the unit before and after retrieving the goods.

It is an aim of the invention to provide an anti-theft storage and display assembly which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides the consumer with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly for storing and displaying goods, the assembly including a carrier for carrying a plurality of goods, a cover for covering a portion of the carrier, and one or more weighted units, the carrier and cover defining an opening for permitting access to the goods. The carrier has an angled base so as to facilitate sliding of the goods towards the opening. The one or more weighted units facilitate the movement of the goods towards the opening along the angled base.

Advantageously, the cover ensures that a large proportion of the goods are covered and therefore protected from being swept off a shelf of a retail store in a single motion by a shoplifter. In other words, access to the number of goods at any single time is restricted to those exposed by the opening. The angled base and the weighted units allow the goods to automatically slide towards the opening under gravity. This simplifies the assembly by eliminating the need for spring loaded mechanisms, which can be expensive and prone to breakage and malfunction.

The base can be any suitable shape and size. Preferably, the carrier has a generally rectangular base having a front side, a rear side, and two lateral sides extending between the front and rear sides. The rear side may be elevated relative to the front side to create an angled upper surface for the base. The elevation of the rear side with respect to the front side may vary to thereby vary the degree of inclination of the angled upper surface.

Each lateral side of the base may include connecting mechanisms to allow connection with other like base units to form a larger base. Any suitable connecting mechanisms may be used. For example, lateral sides may include protrusions and recesses to allow adjacent base units to engage with one another. Advantageously, the size of the base can be easily changed and adapted to fit with existing shelfing systems of any dimension by connecting any suitable number of base units together. For example, each base may have a length of about 300 mm. Combining two or more similar units may therefore provide larger bases having an overall length of 600 mm, 900 mm, 1200 mm, 2400 mm and so forth. The base may therefore be modular so that an assembly of any size to suit the size of the goods to be carried and the size of the display shelf, for example in a supermarket.

The base may be configured to receive one or more dividers for dividing the base into two or more columns. The base may be configured to receive the dividers at any interval along a lengthwise direction of the base. The base may include one or more recesses for receiving the one or more dividers. An upper surface of the base may define a plurality of slots immediately adjacent one another for receiving the one or more dividers at any position along the base. In addition, the upper surface of the base may define a pair of openings disposed adjacent opposite ends of each slot for receiving corresponding protrusions of each divider. Advantageously, the width of each column may be adjusted according to the size of the goods to be carried. The width of each column may be adjusted such that the goods can be stacked in a single file in each column from the front side to the rear side of the base. In this manner, access to only a small number of goods adjacent the front side of the base is permitted at any one time via the opening. Moreover, the angled base allows goods stacked behind to slide forward once the forward most goods adjacent the front side of the base are removed via the opening.

The carrier may further include a pair of side panels for mounting to the base. The panels may be mounted to the lateral sides of the base.

The carrier may further include a front panel for mounting to the front side of the base. The front panel may be transparent to allow visual inspection of the good through the front panel.

The cover may cover a rear portion of the carrier. The cover may have a generally L-shaped profile for covering a rear side of the carrier and a portion of an upper side of the carrier. The cover may have a front side proximate the front side of the base. The opening may be located between the front side of the cover and a front side of the carrier. More particularly, the opening may be located between the front side of the cover and the front panel of the carrier.

The various components of the assembly, including the one or more base units, side panels, front panel and cover may be fastened together using any suitable means. For example, the components may be press fitted together, clipped together, slide fitted together, fastened together using clips, pins, nuts and bolts and the like, or any combination thereof.

Each weighted unit may include one or more wheels to facilitate ease of movement. The weighted device may further include a weighted block, such as a lead weight, and a housing for housing the weighted block. The weighted device may be positioned behind the last goods item in each column such that when a goods item is removed from the front of the column via the opening, the weight of the remaining goods on the angled base and that of the weighted device act together to move the remaining goods towards the opening. In this manner, the next goods item may be accessed via the opening.

Each weighted unit may include a plurality of weight blocks. The number of weight blocks may be varied to vary the total weight of the weight unit. Advantageously, this allows each weight unit to be easily adapted to suit the size and weight of the particular goods to be stored. For example, a larger weight unit including more weight blocks may be used for an assembly for storing light weight goods which may require more assistance in sliding towards the opening under action of gravity. Heavier weight blocks may also be used for bulky goods so as to prevent any goods from being stuck in the assembly and failing to reach the opening during use. Conversely, lighter weighted units may be used for heavier or other suitably sized and weighted goods to ensure that all goods travel to the opening in an effective manner when the front-most positioned goods item(s) is/are retrieved from the assembly.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practice, one or more preferred embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristic described herein may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an anti-theft storage and display assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention filled with goods and mounted on a shelf.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the empty anti-theft storage and display assembly as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the carrier of the assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a further exploded view of the carrier and the cover of the assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a weighted device of the assembly as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the weighted device as shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of a weight device including four sets of weight blocks according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7C is an exploded view of the weighted device as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

FIG. 8A and 8B are perspective views of a weight device including two sets of weight blocks according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8C is an exploded view of the weighted device as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 9A and 9B are perspective views of a weight device including a single set of weight blocks according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9C is an exploded view of the weighted device as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are exploded views of the assembly including weighted units as shown in FIGS. 8A to 9B.

FIG. 10C is a perspective view of an assembly shown in FIG. 10B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

One embodiment of the anti-theft storage and display assembly 100 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The assembly 100 includes a carrier 102 for carrying a plurality of goods 104. The assembly 100 also includes a cover 106 which covers a large portion of the carrier 102 and thus the goods 104 when the carrier is full. An opening 108 is provided between the carrier 102 and the cover 106 allowing a limited number of goods 104 to be accessible at any single time.

As shown in FIG. 1, the assembly 100 is mounted on, and support by, a standard retail shelf 120. As explained in further detail below, the assembly 100 is configured for mounting to a range of different sized retail shelves 120. Advantageously, the assembly 100 can be readily and conveniently adopted in retail outlets without significant re-arrangement of existing display shelves. This configuration of the assembly 100 also provides a level of flexibility in the retail store's display arrangement as the assembly 100 does not require fastening to a fixed location. The assembly 100 can therefore be effortlessly moved to any suitable location of the retail store.

An exploded view of the carrier 102 is illustrated in FIG. 3. The carrier 102 includes a base 122 having an angled upper surface 124. In the particular embodiment shown, the base 122 includes three like base units 126 a, 126 b, 126 c (collectively referred to herein as ‘126’) interlocked together. The base 122 can include any suitable number of base units 126 to match the size of the shelf 120 on which the assembly 100 is to be mounted. In one embodiment, the length of a single base unit 126 is approximately 300 mm. Combining two base units 126 together will therefore provide a base 122 having a length of 600 mm; combining three base units 126 together will provide a base 122 having a length of 900 mm as shown in FIG. 3; combining four base units 126 together will provide a base 122 having a length of 1200 mm; combining eight base units 126 together will provide a base 122 having a length of 2400 mm, and so forth. The modularised configuration of the base 122 advantageously allows the assembly 100 to be easily adaptable for a range of differently sized shelves, which provides significant cost savings compared with other storage and display assemblies which must be custom built to fit the available space.

The base units 126 can be interlocked together via any suitable means. As shown in FIG. 3, base unit 126 c includes a pair of protrusions 128 on a lateral side 130, which are received in a pair of corresponding recesses (hidden) on a corresponding lateral side 132 of adjacent base unit 126 b. Base unit 126 b is connected to base unit 126 a in a similar manner.

Each base unit 126 is generally rectangular when viewed from an elevated position. Each base unit 126 has two lateral sides 132, 134 for connection with adjacent base units 126, a front side 136 and a rear side 138. (The front 136 and rear 138 sides are defined relative to the placement of the assembly 100 on a shelf 120. The front side 136 faces the customer accessing the goods 104 whilst the rear side 138 faces away from the customer.) The rear side 138 is elevated relative to the front side 136 so as to create an angled upper surface 124. The amount by which the rear side 138 is elevated relative to the front side 136 can vary to create vary the degree of inclination of the angled upper surface 124. In one embodiment, the degree of inclination is roughly 12°.

The angled surface 124 advantageously allows the goods 104 to automatically slide towards the front side 136 of the base 122 and thus the opening 108 under action of gravity. The angled surface 124 thereby avoids use of various costly spring loaded devices which actively push the goods towards an opening, which can be prone to breakage and malfunction.

The carrier 102 further includes side panels 140, 142 for mounting to lateral sides 145, 146 of the base 122. Any suitable fastening means can be used to attach the side panels 140, 142 to the base 122. For example, each panel 140, 142 is attached to a respective lateral side 145, 146 using nuts and bolts, or like fasteners.

The carrier 102 further includes a front panel 150 mounted adjacent the front side 136 of the base 122. In particular, the front panel 150 is inserted into a slot 152 which runs parallel with the front side 136 of the base 122. The front panel 150 is transparent to allow visual inspection of the goods 104 in the carrier 102 therethrough.

As shown in FIG. 4, the carrier 102 further includes a plurality of dividers 144 which divide the carrier 102 into a plurality of columns 146. The position of the dividers 144 and thus the width of the columns 146 can be adjusted according to the size of each of the goods 104 to be carried. A plurality of slots 148 are provided on the upper surface 124 of the base 122 to receive the dividers 144 therein. Recesses 152, 154 are also provided adjacent opposite ends of each slot 148 to receive end protrusions of each divider 144 (hidden). Any suitable number of dividers 144 can therefore be inserted into any one of the slots 148 on the base 122.

As more clearly shown in FIG. 1, the goods 104 can be arranged in a single file in each column facing the front panel 150 and the opening 108. Advantageously, the carrier 102 can be conveniently adjusted to carry any sized goods 104, which provides further cost savings as the assembly 100 does not have to be custom built for goods of a specific size.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cover 106 has a generally L-shaped profile. The cover 106 is fitted over an upper portion of the carrier 102 and over the rear side 138 of the base 122. The cover 106 is assembled by inserting lateral side portions 156, 158 in corresponding slots 160, 162 of side panels 140, 142. In addition, the cover 106 is secured adjacent the rear side 138 of the base 122 via bolts 164. As more clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the opening 108 is located between the cover 106 and the front panel 150. The cover 106 is transparent so as to allow visual inspection of the goods 104 in the assembly 100 (see FIG. 1). The size of the cover 106 and side panels 140, 142, to accommodate goods of different heights.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the assembly 100 also includes a weighted unit 200 for locating at the back and behind each column 146 of goods 104. Under the effects of gravity, each weighted unit 200 has a tendency to move from the higher rear side 138 of the base 122 towards the lower front side 136 and thus the opening 108. The weighted units 200 therefore facilitate movement of the goods 104 towards the opening 108.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each weighted unit 200 includes a housing 204, and four wheels 206. The wheels 206 facilitate movement of the weighted unit 200 towards the lower front side 136 of the base 122. As shown in FIG. 6, the weighted unit 200 further includes a weight block 208 enclosed by the housing 204. The weight block 208 provides the necessary weight for the weighted unit 200 to function effectively. The housing 204 includes a sleeve member 210 for receiving the weighted block 208, and a pair of side wall members 212, 214 for press fitting onto opposite sides of the sleeve member 210. The wheels 206 are fitted onto respective axles 216 projecting from the side wall members 212, 214.

During use, goods 104 are stacked in single file columns 146 as shown in FIG. 1. Goods 104 exposed by the opening 108 are readily accessible by a customer. As an item of goods 104 is removed from the opening 108 in each column 146, the weight of the remaining goods 104 in that column 146, combined with the action of the weighted unit 200 under gravity on the angled surface 124 of the carrier base 122, causes the remaining goods 104 in the column 146 to slide towards the opening 108 until the next forward most item of goods 104 is prevented from further movement by the front panel 150.

The assembly 100 therefore restricts the number of goods 104 which could be access by a customer at any one time, and thereby effectively prevents shoplifters from stealing a large number of goods displayed on a shelf by sweeping those goods into a bag. Moreover, the assembly 100 is configured to be modular and adjustable to fit different sized shelves 120 and goods 104. In addition, the angled surface 124 and the weighted unit 200 ensures that goods in the carrier 102 are always easily accessible by ensuring that the goods automatically slide towards the front panel 150 and opening 108. Furthermore, goods 104 which would otherwise be placed towards the back of a shelf 120 and difficult to access by a customer, especially if the shelf is quite high, would be easily accessible by adopting the assembly 100.

The foregoing embodiments are illustrative only of the principles of the invention, and various modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention is capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways and in other embodiments. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As shown in FIGS. 7A to 10C, the weighted unit can be of any suitable shape and size to suit the specific application and use. For example, FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate a relatively large weighted unit 700 having four weighted blocks 702 and a plurality of smaller blocks 704 disposed on either side of, and between the weighted blocks 702. The blocks 702, 704 are mounted to a base assembly 706. The base assembly 706 includes two base plates 708, 710 and three wheel assemblies 712. A cover 714 for covering the blocks 702, 704 is mounted to the base assembly 706.

Similarly, FIGS. 8A to 8C illustrate a medium sized weighted unit 800 having two weighted blocks 802; FIGS. 9A to 9C illustrate a relatively small weighted unit 900 having a single weighted block 902.

As shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, an assembly 100′ in which large weighted units 700 are used can be easily assembled and used according to the same principles previously described.

The term “comprise” and variants of that term such as “comprises” or “comprising” are used herein to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or integers but not to exclude any other integer or any other integers, unless in the context or usage an exclusive interpretation of the term is required.

Reference to prior art disclosures in this specification is not an admission that the disclosures constitute common general knowledge. 

1. An assembly for storing and displaying goods, the assembly comprising: a carrier for carrying a plurality of goods, a cover for covering a portion of the carrier, and one or more weighted units, the carrier and cover defining an opening for permitting access to the goods, the carrier having an angled base so as to facilitate sliding of the goods towards the opening, and wherein the one or more weighted units facilitate the movement of the goods towards the opening along the angled base.
 2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises a generally rectangular base having a front side, a rear side, and two lateral sides extending between the front and rear sides, the rear side being elevated relative to the front side to create an angled surface for the base.
 3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the two lateral sides of the base comprises a connecting mechanism to facilitate connection with other like base units to form a larger base.
 4. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base is configured to receive one or more dividers for dividing the base into two or more columns.
 5. An assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the base is configured to receive the one or more dividers at any interval along a lengthwise direction of the base.
 6. An assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the base comprises one or more recesses for receiving the one or more dividers.
 7. An assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein a weighted unit is provided in each column.
 8. An assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the carrier further comprises a pair of side panels for mounting to the two lateral sides of the base.
 9. An assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the carrier further comprises a transparent front panel for mounting to the front side of the base.
 10. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover has a generally L-shaped profile for covering a rear side of the carrier and a portion of an upper side of the carrier.
 11. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more weighted units comprises one or more wheels to facilitate ease of movement.
 12. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more weighted units comprises a weighted block, and a housing for housing the weighted block.
 13. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more weighted units comprises two or more weighted blocks. 